TFC Week In Review 04-18-2025

THIS WEEK'S EDITIONS OF THE FIRST CALL

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What are your final thoughts about the 2025 Masters?

Send replies on this question or other topics and questions you would like to have asked to shall@buffalogroupe.com. For a response to be published, you must include your first and last name, along with the city and state of residence.

> Last week's question: Which current play-by-play announcer would you like to see succeed Jim Nantz as CBS Sports' lead at the Masters? | Read

The Starter: Of Rory, Rose, respect and RBC

While the Masters may have entered the rearview mirror, it's hard not to keep looking back. Plus, influencers are a thing.

BUSINESS

Club Car: Vice president Mark Rickell talks tariffs, new products

Rickell, vice president of sales, is featured in 'The Means Report,' an extended format news broadcast known for in-depth interviews with industry leaders

Five Iron Golf: Launches new brand campaign

'It’s All Good Form' signals a new chapter for the brand, bringing visibility to the many ways people experience golf today — on their terms

KemperSports: Launches Frequent Fairways loyalty program

Program launches in select markets, initially including Chicagoland, the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast U.S.

Landscapes Golf Management: Selected to manage 2 clubs

Firm will manage Hunt Golf and Country Club in Gainesville, Virginia, and Lake Barrington Shores Golf Club in Lake Barrington, Illinois

PGA of America: Names Toyo Tires as official tire of KPMG Women’s PGA

Multiyear partnership runs through 2027

PGA Tour, Grupo Puntacana: Announce multiyear extension

The agreement for the Corales Puntacana Championship runs through 2027; 2025 tournament begins April 17 at Corales Golf Course in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Shot Scope: Unveils new North American brand campaign

‘My Game. My Story.’ campaign is the next chapter of the brand's vision to help every golfer play better, score better and improve their game

CLUBS / COURSES

Arcis Golf: Reimagines the The Club at Frisco Farms

Frisco, Texas, Plantation Golf Club is renamed and makeover leans to a nostalgic farmhouse aesthetic as the clubhouse has been completely renovated, including the restaurant and bar, game area and more

Circling Raven: Earns top public course ranking for Idaho

Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort amenity is selected by Golf Magazine (Golf.com) as No. 1 on publication's 'Best Golf Courses by State, 2024-25' list

Kawonu GC: Breaks ground on Andrew Green-designed course

Greenville, South Carolina's first private club in more than three decades celebrates milestone

Sun City Hilton Head: Begins renovation project on Okatie Creek GC

The Bluffton, South Carolina, project is anticipated to be completed, and the course reopened by Oct. 1, 2025

The Foothills GC: To unveil 'The Bunker' on May 1

2,100-square-feet golf lounge to offer cool alternative to traditional golf

COMPETITION

International Golf Federation: Confirms Olympic Golf Mixed-Team event for 2028

The team event, along with the men's and women's individual competitions, will be held at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles

PGA Tour: To test speed-of-play recommendations this week

Distance-measuring devices to be tested at nine total events on PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, beginning this week at the RBC Heritage, Corales Puntacana Championship and LECOM Suncoast Classic

USGA: Reigning champion among record-setting entries filed for U.S. Open

USGA accepts more than 10,000 entries for the fourth time; All top 50 in world entered at Oakmont

DESTINATIONS

Marriott Golf: Showcases two Panamanian resorts

A 36-hole golf getaway package being offered by Santa Maria Hotel & Golf Resort and the Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort Panama

Nemacolin: Receives USA Today ‘10Best Golf Destinations’ honor

Pennsylvania’s mountain golf paradise earns high praise from golfers

The Sea Pines Resort: Cooks up new offerings for 2025 RBC Heritage

Dine on Scottie Scheffler’s Defending Champion burger, take Caddie Gnome home as a souvenir

GEAR

Ibkul: Madelene Sagstrom wins T-Mobile Match Play

Athleisure wear ambassador won her second LPGA Tour title after winning the 2020 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio

Sqairz: Showing up more as MLB players make the switch

At least 20 players at the major league level are wearing the Sqairz GFP cleat

SuperStroke: Rory McIlroy clinches Grand Slam at Augusta

Northern Irish star claims fifth major and 29th career win using SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol Tour putter grip

Swag Golf: To launch 4/20-inspired golf headcover collection

First products set to drop April 15

True Linkswear: Debuts the OG3 Pro golf shoe

Latest zero-drop design beckons golfers to 'free your feet, feel the course, find your balance'

MEDIA

GolfPass: Jake Knapp appears on next episode of ‘Playing Lessons’

Host Jim “Bones” Mackay walks with the PGA Tour player for a practice round at Scottsdale, Arizona's Whisper Rock Golf Club

LinksVideo.net: Reports on Shot Scope's appearance at 2025 PGA Show

Golf360's Phyllis Barone showcases a variety of the brand's GPS watches and rangefinders

The First Call: Launches debut podcast, 'Content Clubhouse'

New show hosted by Nathan Moore explores modern golf storytelling through conversations with content creators, new-era personalities driving the game forward

ThorGuard: CEO Robert Dugan's book lauded in L.A. Times review

Book, "All I Am," to be featured at Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, April 26-27

PEOPLE

Carolinas Golf Foundation: Names Darius Rucker as ambassador

Rucker will help champion the Foundation’s efforts to promote access and opportunity in golf — particularly among youth, individuals with disabilities and underserved communities

GCSAA: Honors Chris Ortmeier, Clinton Tingen with leadership awards

Golf course superintendents honored with the Grassroots Ambassador Leadership Awards for advocacy efforts, advancement of association priority issues and congressional outreach

Newton Golf Co.: Announces Andy Harris, Jeff Opheim as PGA Tour reps

Harris and Opheim will also service the PGA Tour Champions and Korn Ferry Tour, while company founder and CTO Aki Yorihiro will serve as tour representative for the LPGA and PGA Tour Champions

PGA Tour: Maverick McNealy, Keith Mitchell elected as 2025 PAC co-chairmen

Players were elected by the Tour's membership; The PAC advises and consults with the PGA Tour Policy Board and Commissioner Jay Monahan on issues affecting the Tour

Solheim Cup: Kristy McPherson named U.S. assistant captain for 2026

McPherson will work alongside Captain Angela Stanford in leading the American team at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, Sept. 11-13, 2026

SuperStroke: Names golf content creator Josh Kelley as brand ambassador

Golf social media star and trick-shot artist to demonstrate the game-improvement merits of SuperStroke

TPC Network: TPC Sawgrass names Matt Borocz as general manager

Borocz has served as TPC Sawgrass assistant general manager for 11 years

TECHNOLOGY

The Indoor Golf Shop: Releases Sigpro Premier Simulator Impact Screen

Matte gray screen provides noticeably improved image quality for brighter rooms and is redefine the visual standards for the indoor golf industry

INDUSTRY NOTES

COURSES

Caledonia Golf & Fish Club: Ranks as the No. 4 public course in America in the 2025 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The Pawleys Island, South Carolina, course was designed by Mike Strantz.